Brisbane Lions’ Irish star Pearce Hanley has declared himself available for this year’s International Rules series in Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Tourism Ireland has launched a quirky marketing campaign involving Northern Ireland born comedian Jimeoin. It centres on the tourism highlights of Northern Ireland, which are brought to life by his story-telling.

After outgoing Ambassador Mairtín O Fainín finished up his posting at the end of July, the delayed appointment of a new Irish Ambassador to Australia has been raised in the Dáil.

Visability hears from a man waiting on a decision on a partner visa who hopes to make a trip home for Christmas. “I’ve heard I can’t travel on my bridging visa. Is this true?” he asks.

Two hundred years after the birth of an Irish convict poet, a group of musicians are to gather in Sydney to mark his larrikin life in song. Francis McNamara was an industrial poet and songwriter who wrote about the Newcastle coalminers’ refusal to work, convict escapes and infamous bushrangers, such as Jack Donahue.

The Irish Warriors are looking good in the AFL International Cup, sealing their place in the semi-finals with an impressive 11.6 (72) to 1.3 (9) victory over the Denmark Vikings on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Ireland women’s team The Banshees screeched to victory over the Papua New Guinea Flames.

The CFMEU NSW has recently recovered money for Irish backpackers who were being exploited while working as bricklayers in Sydney. The backpackers were working on a project in the eastern suburbs, the union’s Malcolm Tulloch, told the Irish Echo.

We’re light on our feet in this week’s Hibernian Squint, as we catch up with John Meehan of the Australian Ballet. John explains his distant Irish roots and how he began tap dancing at age 10 with visions of Gene Kelly in his head. “Although I am only one-eighth Irish, I have an Irish name and was brought up to feel that my Irish heritage was a very important part of my identity.” He adds: “I truly believe my passion for music and dance can be found in my Irish roots.”

in the latest Hibernian Squint, we spoke to Brendan Smyth MLA and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in the ACT. “My father, David, was born in Belfast and arrived in Australia on January 4, 1949. My Uncle Kevin had been in Australia during the Second World War and said to Dad: “If you go, look these people up and they will look after you.” So with the address in hand Dad came to Australia. Dad is a motor mechanic by trade, and he owned and ran service stations and news agencies.

Imagine if every time you answered your phone it could bring news of a struggle, heartbreak or even death. This is exactly the scenario that Irish support groups such as the Perth-based Claddagh Association face. Established in a formal capacity in 1997, the Claddagh Association currently has eight volunteers.